An alcoholic who was holding drugs, firearms and ammunition for criminals to pay off drink and drugs debts has been jailed for six years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne.
Edward Heffernan (25), Greenfort Gardens, Clondalkin, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of having £54,000 worth of cannabis resin and cocaine for sale or supply and the uncertified possession of a .38 Colt revolver and 30 rounds of .22 Winchester rifle ammunition on June 29th, 2001.
Sgt Martin Walsh told Mr Patrick O'Reilly, prosecuting, that gardaí went to Heffernan's home on foot of confidential information. They found a rucksack containing 18 nine-ounce bars of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of £48,000 in his car.
A subsequent search of a locked shed in the back yard uncovered two bags of cocaine valued at £6,000 and the rifle ammunition. They also found a revolver.
Sgt Walsh said Heffernan was arrested and admitted holding the drugs and the firearms. He told them it wasn't the first time he had looked after such items because he had built up large debts from a serious alcohol problem and from earlier drug abuse. He was paid a small amount for his role as well as having all his debts cancelled.